NOTES

The
1987 Constitution classifies the Philippines as a democratic and republican
State which emphasizes the rule of the people through the election of leaders
and the protection of human rights (De Leon & De Leon Jr., 2011). Many people
around the world consider the Philippines as a democratic society because it
identifies itself as such through the said provision in its Constitution.
However, the real notion of Democracy is just not limited to a mere statement
that declares the democratic identity of a given nation. Many other factors are
taken into consideration before a country can be regarded as a true bastion of democratic
ideals. Aside from the existence of human rights and elections, another element
that should be present is the concept of Citizenship in a given society or
community.

To begin with, Citizenship is a
social and political idea that has existed in this world ever since the time of
the Greek civilization. Aristotle (1958), a political thinker, defines Citizenship
as the sharing “in the administration of justice and in the holding of office”
(p. 93). This means that a citizen for him is primarily a person who can actively
participate in the affairs of the government. Other philosophers who came after
him added up more ideas that gradually developed the concept of Citizenship. Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, for example, modifies the theory of Aristotle by saying that persons
are citizens when they actively participate in processes of deliberation and
decision-making (as cited in Leydet, 2006). St. Thomas Aquinas, on the other
hand, describes a good citizen as someone who thinks about common good and acts
accordingly in any situation that is present (as cited in Koritansky, 2007).

Furthermore, Randy David (2008)
states that the modern citizen has three roles to fulfill, namely: (1)
Understand the requirements of modern society and participate conscientiously
in it; (2) Alleviate the pain and suffering that other people are experiencing;
(3) Ensure that those who make decisions in the people’s name are held
accountable. They must be able to accomplish these tasks in order for them to exercise
their Citizenship properly. In other words, a person can never become a real
citizen unless he contributes to nation building by helping other people and by
participating in social issues that really subsist in human society. Citizenship,
therefore, pertains to the active participation of an individual in the affairs
of a society and in the integral development of its members.

In connection to this, the said
concept is very important because a democratic system can only work if the
citizens take part in the different concerns of a given society. One thing that
proves this statement is the voting of incoming officials during a country’s elections.
For instance, the government would become the stronghold of corrupt officials
if the people do not participate properly in this political activity. Aside
from this, various kinds of cheating would rampantly happen if the persons do
not cooperate in the guarding of their ballots.

Now, research has shown over the
years that the college experience has “a significant socializing effect on
political beliefs and other values, and that outcomes such as maturity of moral
judgment, racial and religious tolerance, and civic and political participation
are positively associated with educational attainment” (Colby, Ehrlich,
Beaumont, Rosner, & Stephens, 2000, p. xxviii). Many aspects of College
life such as the lessons in civic education classes actually impart the idea of
Citizenship among the students (Sax, 2000). However, Print (1999) states that
extracurricular activities in school are far more influential than classroom
activities in instilling the attitude of active participation in civic affairs.
This means that formal education in college should be supplemented by extra-curricular
activities in order for the notion of Citizenship to be further imparted to college
students.

Among the extra-curricular
activities that are in present in most schools, joining civic and student
organizations is considered as one of the best ways to develop the attitude of
civic participation in the person (Tin & Khoong, 1999). These kinds of organizations
play an important role in the Citizenship of the students. To begin with,
certain organizations expose their members to social and political issues that
strengthen their desire to be involved in society. These groups usually engage
themselves in topics like environmentalism, good governance, human rights,
agrarian reform, and societal change. According to Colby et al. (2000), the
engagement of students in moral and civic issues is very “essential to the full
development of informed, committed, socially responsible, and politically
engaged citizens” (p. xl).

Next, many organizations provide
their members with opportunities to serve society through volunteer works and outreach
activities. These occasions then enable the students to form a habit of active
participation in endeavors that uplift the lives of various people especially
the needy. According to Sax (2000), volunteer works during their undergraduate
studies improve the students’ attitude of active participation after college. One
example of a common outreach event is the practice of organizing medical
missions in rural communities and depressed areas. Student-initiated groups go
to these places and deliver medical services to people who are not capable of
sending themselves to primary hospitals. In addition, they provide the people
with free medicines and materials that help them cope with certain diseases
like cough and fever.

Moreover, student organizations instill
the attitude of active participation to its members by giving them the chance
to lead others in projects that involve several volunteer works. This statement
is true especially to those people who are holding official positions in these
groups. For instance, the President of an organization has the opportunity to
lead the group in the execution of a given project. He actually forms a habit
of active participation by leading his people because he does more jobs and
they require him to go beyond the usual tasks of an ordinary member. It also
enables him to form this attitude because it gives him more opportunities to participate
in the different aspects of the said project.

Now, CATALYST is a civic and student
organization in the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) which enables
the college students to develop an attitude of active participation in the
different affairs of society. In other words, the organization gives the
students the opportunity to become better citizens who contribute a positive
change in this world. The primary objective of this group, as stated in its Constitution,
is the internal development of the individual in and through the field of
social responsibility (CATALYST, 2010). It also aims to instill in its members
the values and skills of active participation, teamwork and volunteerism
(Ibid.). The organization plans to achieve this by providing its members and
other UA&P students with opportunities for meaningful service to
individuals, communities, and sectors of Philippine society that are most in
need (Ibid.). These activities are designed to develop in its members and other
UA&P students the virtue of socio-civic concern and related virtues like
leadership, character, initiative, dynamism, solidarity, team spirit, and
service (Ibid.). Furthermore, the vision of CATALYST is the following, namely:
(1) An organization that transforms lives through student service projects that
uplift the economic, moral, and intellectual status of individuals, groups and
communities, especially those that are in greatest need; (2) An organization
that empowers other individuals and groups outside of UA&P to change lives
in like manner; (3) An organization that prepares UA&P students to become
in the future productive members, shapers and catalysts of positive change in
society (Ibid.).

First of all, CATALYST contributes to
the Citizenship of the students because it exposes them to social and political
issues that increase their yearning for civic participation. One of the issues
that the org is now pursuing is the controversial topic of Reproductive Health
Bill or RH Bill. The members of CATALYST are doing their best to fight the bill
and educate the people about the harmful effects of the proposed law. In fact, the
org is the founding member of a youth coalition that is very much engaged in
the fight against the said proposal. This alliance is named YUP or Youth United
for the Philippines.

Second, CATALYST forms a habit of
civic participation among the students because it organizes volunteer works and
outreach activities that involve its members. Some of the activities that the
org initiates include medical missions, house-building events, and educational
talks. One example which proves the authenticity of this statement was the
Medical Mission that the group organized last August of this school year. In
summary, the members of the organization delivered basic medical services to
the employees of the Assets and Facilities Management group. They also provided
the staff members with medicines and supplements that would help them in their
medical and nutritional needs.

Third, CATALYST instills the notion
of Citizenship to its members because it allows them to lead those people who
also take part in the implementation of the project. There are actually many
opportunities for the members to take the lead and blaze a trail. This statement
is true especially to those people who belong to the core group. Aside from the
actual experience of leadership, the members also get to lead by undergoing
talks and seminars that aim to unleash their capabilities and potential. These
leadership opportunities enable the person to participate in society more
actively.

In conclusion, the said example has
definitely shown the importance of civic and student organizations in the life
of a college student. They actually provide the undergraduates with opportunities
for them to hone in themselves the attitude of active participation in the
affairs of society. To put it simply, they empower the students to become
better citizens. That’s why the University (UA&P) should do its best to
promote the welfare and development of these organizations. It should not
prevent them from pursuing projects that are actually beneficial for the whole
community. The Office of Student Affairs and Operations Committee, in
particular, should make the process of approving projects more quickly and
easily. In addition, the University should support the civic and student
organizations because they can actually help it form individuals who are
“professionally competent, creative and enterprising, zealous for the common
good, and capable of making free, morally upright choices, and who can thus act
as positive agents of change in service to society” (University of Asia and the
Pacific, n.d., para. 5).

The Jason Evert event was very overwhelming and fulfilling. I have never felt so fulfilled ever in my life. Jason talked to me before he left and I felt the joy in his eyes, thankful to the catalyst members who worked for this event. I personally don't know every volunteer on the day of the event but while working with them, i felt a sense of brotherhood which I will cherish forever. Thank you so much catalyst. I'm honored to be one of your officers. :)

It was really tiring, but worth it! All the effort of the core members paid well. I can see that they were really contented of the results. I'm happy that I was part of this project. And I hope to have more of this kind of projects that can change other people's lives. Go Catalyst! :)

Being a catalyst member is more than just being an org member in school. It goes beyond the thought for the sake of having an extra- curricular activity after school. It is beyond of having meetings during lunchtimes and after class. It is beyond for the sake of having something to do. Every simple thing we do in Catalyst is beyond our self satisfaction in helping others. It is beyond in giving hefty or simple donations. It is beyond in making others happy or helping them to feel good. It is beyond what we think we had accomplished. “We change lives”. Changing hearts and lives in a positive way cannot be express by words; it is unquantifiable to measure what the heart feels. It is unquantifiable to measure love. I believe we are human because we care, we love, we feel. I believe that we are stewards of change. I believe that being a Catalyst member is beyond by just being a Catalyst member.

It hasn't been two months since I joined UA&P's Catalyst, but I already know and feel the main goal of this organization and that is to be ambassadors of change in our society. The Jason Evert SMX event is my first project as a Catalyst member.

For this event, I am under Abner's team. This team's goal is to gather up sponsorships for this event. After this upcoming event, I will surely stay in Catalyst to be able to pursue my goal in life; that is to provide less for myself and to GIVE MORE TO OTHERS. :D

Being a Catalyst has been a truly rewarding experience - all relations and sugar-coated compliments aside. In the seven to eight months I have been with Catalyst, I have seen so much dedication to create a good change in our society, and not a lot of organizations have that. The willingness, the passion, the desire of the members of this organization have been enough for me to realize that in this time and age, there still are people - the youth, at that - who care for our society and its conditions enough to actually do something about it. This is something you never see everyday, and being a part of that group of people who desires to create a good change in our society, who desires nothing but to uphold a moral and good type of living in our nation (and eventually, who knows? It may even cross borders - it may even go as far as touching lives internationally. *wink) is such a very rewarding experience, and a blessing in itself.

I can say that Catalyst is a group that everyone should emulate. I'm not saying that everyone should join Catalyst. I'm just asking everyone to BE a catalyst - a catalyst of change. Trust me, being a Catalyst is a very worthwhile experience. Not only do you get to contribute to change the society for the better. You also get to change yourself for the better. You would learn how to deal with things as you go along. You will gain friendship, love, charity... well, to put things simply, you will find a family in Catalyst.

That is, so far, the major thing about Catalyst that has been really attractive for me. Catalyst is a family, everyone cares about everyone - both generally and more importantly, individually. I have experienced being offered a helping hand by members of Catalyst and I must say, it was very uplifting to know that when you think everyone's turned their backs on you, you still have a family in school whom you could turn to. Not only are they a catalyst of change to the society, but to every individual as well. Along the way, not only do they help people of our nation, but their own people, too. I say this with strong conviction, and in full honesty. If there was ever something about UA&P which I loved, am loving, and will love for the rest of my life, it will be Catalyst. Because aside from helping me, it also helps me to help others. (And in the long run, those others would eventually help more "others" as well.)